Running: Raymond, Soderstrom competing with humor, heart

John Conceison

Sunday

Jan 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMJan 29, 2012 at 12:54 AM

When Matt Raymond and Eric Soderstrom were Doherty High basketball teammates in the late 1990s, they had plenty of occasions to high-five each other. After all, they had the dominating Will Hampton on their team, who kept crowds entertained into the postseason.

But on Feb. 8 in New York City, Raymond and Soderstrom will reach a new level of athletic accomplishment. They'll be scaling 86 floors in the annual Empire State Building Run-Up to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

“We're going to complete our highest-five, and we're totally amped about it,” Raymond said. “You've got to look forward to any opportunity to take on a challenge like that.”

And, like they do at all running events, Raymond and Soderstrom will enjoy this to the fullest while representing the heavily-costumed Mullet Marathon New England team. The Worcester duo will be joined by Cape Cod resident Neill Bohlin while donning the team's signature shades, short shorts, long-hair mullet 'dos and 'staches, tube socks and other features prominent in the '60s and '70s.

“It's the most aerodynamic haircut there is,” deadpanned Raymond, who also attended UMass with Soderstrom, the two rooming together as sophomores. “It helps us with our speed.”

While that may be debatable, the haircut and getup definitely add to the team's popular appeal at events.

“We're ultra-positive types of personalities, always pushing people along,” said Soderstrom, who works in marketing and now lives in Sandwich. “We're trying to put smiles on people's faces while helping out.”

During races, Mullet team members will encourage other competitors by patting them on the back and offering bright, catchy phrases like “bigger smiles equal shorter miles,” and “the higher the climb, the higher the five.”

On their way up the Empire State Building, the three will run under the aliases Bobby, Kenny and A.J., though it's a kept secret which one is which.

While living and working in central Florida, Soderstrom got involved with the Mullet Marathon group there, where it was founded about nine years ago. He started a New England chapter a year ago, and the local team now has seven members.

“When I was running 5Ks in the Orlando area, I saw the effect we had on people,” Soderstrom said. “We all had a passion for being healthy and raising money for fine causes. We really want to be proactive to support causes.”

Through the Mullet Marathon's Facebook page, Raymond and Soderstrom went about collecting pledges of 10 cents per Empire State story, or $8.60 total, for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. As a reward, the two will be wearing shirts with contributors' pictures on the back during their ascent of New York's tallest building. Donations are still being accepted at mulletmarathon.com.

While training for the event, Soderstrom has taken to some steep hills during road work and even toiled on the stairs of a downtown Boston hotel — some 36 floors' worth. Raymond, who lives in Newton and works in Boston, also in marketing, has trained on the 110 steps of Boston College's Commonwealth Avenue parking garage, along with some hotel work.

They concede such training hardly prepares one for the rigors of the Empire State Building, but they're ready to spread some fun to the Big Apple's stairwells. And they're hoping possibly to bring some Patriots cheer following Sunday's Super Bowl.

“Let's just hope we don't see any Giants championship banners,” Raymond joked.

Things are coming together for the first Run With Heart 5K, which will benefit the American Heart Association.

Erin Keenan, founder of the RUNWAY running club and director of this event, couldn't be more excited about the race, which will go off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 25 at Clinton Middle School. She has always been passionate about running and fitness, and the Heart Association is a cause near and dear to her.

Two years ago, on March 25, her father, William Winn, died of heart complications at age 52, and her younger sister, Marykate, who is only 28, is a survivor of two recent heart attacks.

Marykate Winn has become very active in American Heart Association events, and last Nov. 30 she offered her story at the Go Red in Your Own Fashion show at the Worcester Art Museum. Marykate, who was a three-sport athlete at Clinton High but now faces some physical limitations, delivered words that so moved the people on hand, especially her sister.

“That night, I decided I needed to do something,” Keenan said. “I was always looking for some way to help.”

Proceeds will go to the American Heart Association via Team MKardial Infarction and the Heart Association's Heart Walk. Team MKardial Infarction came out for Marykate, about 50 strong, to participate in the Heart Walk out to Cristoforo Colombo Park (East Park) last May.

“We're really hoping to bring awareness to people now that my sister has gotten involved,” said Keenan, who has formed Crazy Train Events to conduct this event. “We need to awaken people as to how preventable some conditions are.

“We're hoping to educate people and get more people involved. People making simple changes in lives can make a big difference.”

Preparations for operations have progressed fairly smoothly. Keenan reports that race timing services, disc jockey and police details have all been secured.

Also included is a 1-mile walk, the Heart March, which will begin at 1:15 p.m. on race day.

Registration fee is $20 ($25 after Feb. 15) with free T-shirts going to the first 100 preregistered runners. Race-day registration begins at 11:30 a.m. at Clinton Middle School, where the 5K will start and finish.

An invitation was recently extended to local businesses to enter teams while encouraging such teams to come up with unique uniforms. An award will be presented to the team “showing the most heart through creativity and overall spirit.” And, Keenan said, “Don't forget — wear red.”

Keenan, whose RUNWAY members are enthusiastically on board, is hoping to attract upward of 150 runners. “I know that may be a lot to expect, but we're aiming high,” she said.

Also, Keenan is encouraging volunteers to help out and that the event is accepting donations from those who want to help the cause but may not be able to attend.

For more information, visit sites.google.com/site/runwithheart1/home, or e-mail traintherunway@gmail.com.

John Conceison can be contacted by email at jconceison@telegram.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.